Ben Stokes Claims Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up
Practice game, Perth venue (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Will Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
National team: still to bat
Ben Stokes delivered six wickets in his initial appearance following July but England faced an injury concern about Mark Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up against the development squad in Perth.
Skipper's Impressive Comeback
The England captain, making his comeback after nearly four months out with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Injury Worry
Pace bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a pre-planned number of 8 overs before departing the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will have a scan on Friday.
Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were dismissed for three hundred eighty-two on a slow track after an uncontested toss at Lilac Hill.
Team Planning
The tourists wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, starting on 21 November.
In a possible hint towards their opening Test strategy, the tourists fielded an fast bowling lineup – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Highlights
Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.
Ben McKinney, Cox, 17-year-old Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Relaxed Environment
England's decision to play a single practice match against the Lions has been questioned by some ex-players but the captain hit back by calling the critics "former players".
A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of fans at the ground was definitely a different experience from what the team will encounter at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.
Captain's Excellent Performance
The captain was superb in the series against the Indian team in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.
The skipper has not managed a full part in any of the team's previous four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of regaining the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were gifted.
Jacks Strengthens Claim
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the opening match – England look to have revealed their hand with the eleven selected here. Nevertheless, he may have moved himself ahead of the out-of-sorts Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at almost a run a ball.
Even before the concern over Wood, the five seamers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the initial match.
Carse was absent from the opening day because of sickness, with his position going to Tongue. Josh Tongue had Lions opener Ben McKinney edging to the keeper just after lunch.
Although the captain took the scalps, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was energetic with the fresh ball and once more after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the absence of Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his spin bowling. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an run rate of over eight.
Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer bounced out Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.